QUETTA - Balochistan Planning and Development Additional Chief Secretary Aslam Shahkir Baloch has said that illegal cutting of forests and hunting of wildlife started showing its impact.
He stated this while presiding over a meeting of newly-started projects on Forest Department and Wildlife, here on Friday. Finance Secretary Dostain Jamaldini, Forest Secretary Abdul Rahim and other officials were also present in the meeting. The additional chief secretary said the incessant cutting of forests was showing its impact on climate change while the extinct species of trees were diminishing. Similarly, he said illegal cutting of trees was also seriously affecting wildlife and wild herbs. He stressed the need for taking effective action to protect the forests and wildlife so that the climatic changes could be stopped.
During the meeting, the finance secretary drew the attention of meeting towards wild and plants herbs, saying that the Forest Department would have to evolve a clear policy for protecting wild herbs because it could be an attractive business which could generate huge foreign exchange for the province.
The meeting also approved three projects through which desert trees would be grown in the desert areas of district Nushki, Kharan, Washuk and Chagai which could provide shelter to populace areas from sand storm. The second project which was approved was about coastal areas of Balochistan where the mangrove forests would be planted and protected. The third project is regarding wildlife through which the creep places of wildlife would be given protection and technical and professional capacity would be built in other related affairs.
In the end of meeting, Additional Chief Secretary issued directives that practical work is required in this regard so that people could be benefited and no laxity should be made.